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TalentLMS Annual L&D Benchmark Report: Training's Impact on Employee Retention

In its newly released 2026 Annual Learning and Development (L&D) Benchmark Report, TalentLMS presents compelling evidence that training opportunities are not merely beneficial but essential for employee retention. The report highlights a concerning trend: more employees are indicating they might seek employment elsewhere if their organization fails to provide adequate training options. This year’s survey included insights from 101 HR managers and 1,000 employees across the U.S., painting a nuanced picture of the current workplace landscape.

The Growing Need for Training

Interestingly, 73% of surveyed employees admitted that access to training would incentivize them to stay with their current employer. While this statistic demonstrates a clear need for investment in employee education, it also underscores the challenges companies face in addressing this requirement. The data shows a fluctuation in employee sentiment regarding training; after decreasing to 24% in a prior year, the percentage of employees willing to leave due to lack of training opportunities has surged back up to 35%.

Additionally, over half of the respondents pointed out that demanding workloads prevent them from pursuing personal and professional development opportunities. The struggle for HR managers is evident: despite recognizing the desire for training, many employees feel they simply cannot find the time to engage in learning due to their current job expectations.

AI and the Future of Work

One of the most significant trends identified in the report is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping the workplace. A notable 70% of HR managers expressed intentions to create new roles centered around AI within the next year. However, there's a concern that nearly half of those managers view AI training primarily as a means to increase automation, potentially placing jobs at risk. This disparity creates a disconnect between HR's vision and employee perceptions — with a discrepancy of around 20 percentage points.

Dimitris Tsingos, CEO of Epignosis, the parent company of TalentLMS, comments, "The data sends a clear signal that employees want employers to invest in learning and development. This is a crucial message regarding leadership strategies. It’s essential that training initiatives empower all employees, allowing them to grow skills that keep organizations ahead of technological innovation."

Performance Expectations and Learning

The TalentLMS report also outlined increasing performance demands within companies, revealing that 65% of employees felt their organization had heightened performance expectations in just the past year. Furthermore, 45% of employees expressed feeling pressured to produce more at work, which adds to the complexity of encouraging continued education.

Given this context, the findings highlight an urgent need for organizations to prioritize learning and development. The report emphasizes that training plays a critical role in influencing employee retention. However, as HR leaders strive to prioritize educational initiatives, many struggle to balance these efforts with the pressures of ongoing job demands.

Key Recommendations for Organizations

So what should companies take away from this report? The findings suggest several actionable strategies for enhancing employee training opportunities:
1. Protect Learning Time: Organizations need to create a culture where continuous development is prioritized, shielding time for training from the typical workday pressures.
2. Align Perceptions: Work on closing the gap between how leadership and employees view training initiatives to foster a more cohesive understanding of their importance.
3. Embed AI Literacy: Integrating AI training across all levels of the workforce is essential for preparing employees to thrive in an evolving job landscape.

As TalentLMS moves forward, the ongoing challenge will be to transform training into a sustained priority that reflects both employee aspirations to grow and company goals to innovate. Stakeholders across every level stand to benefit from embracing a commitment to learning that fosters growth, engagement, and retention.

For a comprehensive look at all findings and insights from the report, visit TalentLMS's official site.